An accomplished multi-sport athlete, Gordon has already enjoyed success on the international stage across paracanoeing and para Nordic skiing. A Paralympic silver medallist and World Championship gold medallist, she has consistently proven her ability to compete at the highest level, adapting to new challenges and excelling in different disciplines.

Now, she is preparing to add another chapter to her sporting journey, this time in a new sport: Para Powerlifting.

Reflecting on her Team Scotland selection for Para Powerlifting, a sport she only took up last summer, Hope shared:

“Going to the Commonwealth Games and representing Team Scotland has been a lifelong childhood dream. So, to finally be able to do that is really exciting.”

Her selection for the Glasgow Games marks a significant full circle in her career, as Glasgow itself holds a unique place in her journey. For many years, the city was associated with the most difficult times of Hope’s life.

“Up until fairly recently, Glasgow for me only held memories of being in hospital,” she explained. “So, I’m really excited to go there to compete. And be on the other side of the river from the hospital this time.”

Hope’s life changed dramatically when she was just 12 years old, and she began experiencing pain in her left leg. After being referred to specialists in Glasgow, she was eventually diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

“I just thought I had a sore leg, and it was going to get better, but obviously it didn’t,” she said.

On 2 August 2016, after years of treatment and being in and out of the hospital, she made the decision to have her leg amputated in order to improve her quality of life. It was a life-changing moment, but one that would ultimately open new doors.

“Obviously, sport has been one thing that’s been with me through all the tough times,” she expressed.

No stranger to elite competition, Hope began in the swimming pool, one of the few sports she could do shortly after her amputation. She transitioned to paracanoeing in 2018, making her international debut within a year and quickly establishing herself as one of the sport’s leading athletes.

Her achievements include eight World Championship medals, three European Championship medals and five World Cup medals. She also claimed silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and made history at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games as ParalympicsGB’s first female para Nordic skier.

Glasgow 2026 will see Hope compete on the world stage once again, but this time in a completely new discipline.

“It’s a funny one because even though I am new to the sport, I have been training for a lot of years. It’s just, I guess, in a slightly different way,” she told us.

Photography Chris Duggan | Glasgow 2026

“Para Powerlifting is competed over bench press, which is an exercise we do a lot of in canoeing because obviously you have to have a lot of upper body strength in the boat.”

“So, I guess bench press is something that I’ve been doing for many, many years and something that I’m fairly strong at within a canoeing context.”

The transition has not been without its challenges. Moving into a new sport has required her to adapt both physically and technically.

“Taking that into this new sport has definitely been a challenge,” she explained. “It’s just really been about re-learning the technical side of it and ultimately just trying to get as strong as I can.”

Still, the opportunity to compete at a home Commonwealth Games has made every step worthwhile.

“It’s really great for me in terms of giving me the opportunity to achieve my dreams of competing at a Commonwealth Games and also hopefully supporting and making the boats faster as well,” she said.

“This part of my journey is really about making sure I never look back with any regrets. I really just thought I’d give it a try, and yeah, we made it.”

Looking ahead to the Games this summer, there is one moment in particular that stands out for Hope. The closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will fall exactly 10 years after her leg amputation.

Reflecting on what that will mean, she shared: “That in itself is just going to be such an exciting and emotional moment.”

“It will be a real opportunity to celebrate a decade of my new life by getting to walk out with Team Scotland.”

Hope Gordon competes for Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday 24th July - get your tickets HERE